South Africa’s (SA) citrus industry has welcomed news that the United States (US) will exempt SA oranges from tariffs, a move that restores competitiveness in one of the sector’s key export markets.

The Citrus Growers Association highlighted that the US market received 4.3 million 15 kg cartons of SA citrus last season, with exports having grown by 22% over the past financial year.

Speaking to Africa In Business, Thabile Nkunjana, Agricultural Economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, said the temporary 90-day pause on US tariffs earlier in the season allowed producers to push more products into the market. Other factors contributing to export growth included early market closures in competing countries such as Peru, Chile, Turkey, and Morocco, favourable weather conditions, and improved port efficiencies.

“These combinations allowed SA exporters to meet increased demand for both fresh and processed citrus products in the US,” Nkunjana said, while noting that some farmers had scaled back exports this season in anticipation of tariff pressures.

Looking ahead, the sustainability of growth remains uncertain. Nkunjana warned that US–SA trade relations remain fragile, influenced by broader trade negotiations and the upcoming G20 Summit. While oranges are now exempt from tariffs, other citrus varieties, including mandarins, are not, and table grapes also remain outside the exemption.

“The situation is fluid and outcomes are difficult to predict. While the exemption is welcome, ongoing negotiations will determine how other products are affected in the coming seasons,” Nkunjana said.

The tariff exemption comes as part of a broader US adjustment to trade measures affecting several SA products, including bananas, beef, tomatoes, and cocoa, driven in part by rising food prices and domestic consumer concerns.

SA exporters remain cautiously optimistic that the measure will support continued access to the US market, particularly as they head into the 2026 season.

–ChannelAfrica–